Adherence among psychiatric outpatients in psychiatric hospital Uselu, Benin City, Nigeria

Abstract

Patients adherence studies are essential for evaluating the quality of care delivery of a health facility and patients’ role in improving their conditions. To determine the adherence level of psychiatric out-patients to prescribed medications and impacting factors. A cross-sectional study was done from April to September, 2013. Consecutive sampling method was used for data collection. A total of 250 adult patients (18years and above) attending the psychiatric clinic with various psychiatric illnesses participated in the study. A well-structured self-report 10-item Medication Adherence Rating Scale (MARS) was used. Information gathered were socio demographics and clinical variables affecting patient’s adherence to medications. Data was analyzed with respect to gender, adherence level and factors affecting patient’s adherence. Patients’ adherence to psychotropic medication was 63.6% and affecting factors were amount spent per clinic visit, perception of social support, alcohol intake, medications side-effects existing denial of illness and use of traditional medicine. Adherence level to psychotropic medications was high and affecting factors were amount spent per clinic visit, perception of social support alcohol intake, medication side-effects, existing denial of illness, insight into illness, use of alternative and/ or traditional medicine.